I didn’t finish it yet, but I got to the final mission pretty quickly. I didn’t find it particularly hard to be honest. Really fun game though, the graphics especially are fantastic, so many cool little details all over the place. I’m having a friend over next week to play retro games all day, so I’ll definitely play this co-op then, see how that is.

Not really a pickup per se, but my original Sony Analog Controller for the PSX, the one that came out prior to the Dualshock, was a little worse for wear. It’s one of my favourite Sony controllers, due to the longer handles on each side, making it really comfortable to hold.

As you can see, the right analog stick is a little droopy. I had previously taken it apart and the plastic that attaches the analog nub itself to the metal mechanism that actually detects input was broken. Unfortunately I didn’t have the broken piece any more…

The culprit! The controller itself works fine, though obviously analog control is busted. With a bit of crazy glue, I figured I could at least get the analog stick attached again. I don’t think it’ll hold up to any play, but to be honest, I don’t really play ANY games on PSX that require analog movement, so by at least reattaching the stick, I can use the controller again without the droopy stick driving me bananas.

I had one of those, bought in my first trip to NYC. Force feedback on Tobal 2 was awesome, but there was a mode that forced analog support for some games. It was hit or miss, but made Air Combat 2 so much better.

This is the “Sony Dual Analog Controller”, which was released prior to Dualshock and has no vibration in it. The Wikipedia article has a great section which outlines the differences between it and the Dualshock:

The PlayStation Dual Analog Controller (SCPH-1150 in Japan, SCPH-1180 in the United States and SCPH-1180e in Europe) is Sony's first handheld analog controller for the PlayStation, and the predecessor to the DualShock. Its first official analog controller was the PlayStation Analog Joystick (SCPH-1110).
The Dual Analog Controller was first displayed under glass at the PlayStation Expo 96-97 which was held from November 1 to November 4, 1996. It was released in Japan in April 1997, coincident wit...

Do they have replacement sticks for this controller? This one’s is way different than any other Sony sticks. I’m not worried as this is one I bought brand new back in the day, and it’s nice to restore it rather than junk it.

In other pick up news, I’ve finally joined the CRT club… I blame @Socksfelloff

The new addition to the setup is a Sony 24" Trinitron KV-FS100. I’m finally back in the CRT game. I haven’t done any tinkering with it (other than turn the VM off, which blurs edges), but it looks pretty darn good with 240p Virtual Console from the Wii. Now time to get a SCART to Component connector to get all my systems working with it…

I doubt it but the Xbox One stick is pretty similar in appearance, you could replace both to make it visually consistent, and should be compatible as Sony and Microsoft somehow use shape for the stick attachemnt. Or you could just get replacement sticks intended for a DualShock if you’re not trying to keep the appearance but just the functionality.